Speeches By President Of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins delivered the 2024 Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers’ Lecture in a live online event from the State Reception Room in Áras an Uachtaráin. President Higgins was invited to deliver this year’s lecture by the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina. The lecture series was launched in 2006 and in 2018 was renamed in honour of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. The lecture has been previously delivered by seven Nobel laureates, including winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, as well as by a number of Heads of State, Heads of Government, academics and heads of global institutions.

President Higgins hosted a reception marking the 40th Anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman at Áras an Uachtaráin. The Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints from members of the public who believe they have been unfairly treated by certain public service providers. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-a-reception-marking-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-office-of-the-ombudsman

President Higgins hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin to honour the memory of those who died in the Stardust Tragedy. On Sunday 23 June 2024, President Higgins laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland at a Ceremony of Commemoration in the Garden of Remembrance, for the relatives of the victims, for the survivors and for all those affected by the Stardust Fire.

On the evening of the first day of the 2024 State Visit by H.E. Tô Lâm, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, President and Sabina Higgins hosted a State Dinner in honour of their guest. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-state-dinner-in-honour-of-h.e-to-lam-president-of-the-socialist-republic-of-vietnam

President Higgins received the Eugene O’Neill International Public Service Award from the New York-based Irish American Writers and Artists Association (IAWA). The President delivered acceptance remarks in a public event held at the Irish Arts Centre on the evening of Monday 23 September. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-receives-the-eugene-oneill-international-public-service-award

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin for the athletes who represented Ireland with such distinction at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-reception-for-team-ireland-paris-2024

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins, addressed the UN Summit of the Future at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Invited to address the UN Summit of the Future by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who has convened the Summit during the High-Level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, President Higgins will speak of a form of the United Nations which can represent the people of the world in the interacting crises which we face and be responsive. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-addresses-united-nations-summit-of-the-future-in-new-york

The President and Sabina Higgins received representatives of the Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid Strikers at Áras an Uachtaráin. 19th July is the 40th anniversary of the commencement of the Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid strike, which commenced on 19 July 1984 when Mary Manning refused to handle the sale of grapefruit from South Africa. To mark the anniversary, the President and Sabina met with strikers Liz Deasy, Karen Gearon, Sandra Griffin, Mary Manning, Theresa Mooney, Vonnie Munroe McCue, Cathryn O Reilly, Alma Russell and Michelle Sherlock at the Áras.

The President and Sabina Higgins hosted a special Presidential Concert, celebrating Irish Music Month 2024. In his speech President Higgins recognised the many different groups, organisations and individual citizens who have contributed so much to Irish music, whether as musicians, songwriters, singers, composers or the many who work in the wider music sector, including in Irish radio. The concert was the final in a series of Garden Parties held at Áras an Uachtaráin, organised by the President and Sabina Higgins, to celebrate people and organisations who work on themes that the President wishes to highlight. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-concert-celebrating-irish-music-month-and-local-radio-stations

In the penultimate Garden Party of 2024, the President and Sabina Higgins hosted a garden party celebrating the trade union movement. Through the theme of this garden party, President Higgins reflected, and celebrated, the trade union movement all that has been achieved in the long and difficult struggle for workers’ rights in Ireland, and across the globe. The garden party celebrated the work of current and past activists fighting for workers’ rights and standing in solidarity with colleagues, fellow citizens, and with people all over the world, in struggles against injustice, inequality and exclusion in the workplace. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-higgins-host-a-garden-party-celebrating-the-trade-union-movement

The theme of the fifth garden party of 2024 was ‘Life Below Water’ – Protecting our Oceans, Sustainable Development Goal 14. The President and Sabina Higgins welcomed members of our communities and activists who are dedicating themselves to fostering a sustainable future for the citizens of Ireland and beyond. In his speech, President Higgins reaffirmed our commitment to safeguarding, conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and the vast and vital marine resources that our oceans provide.

On Tuesday 25 June 2024, the President and Sabina Higgins hosted the fourth in a series of seven garden parties being held at Áras an Uachtarain this summer. In his speech the President highlighted the work of those who have enriched the lives of others and who provide support services and the hand of friendship to those within our society who are in special need of care or assistance. The tradition of hosting Garden Parties in Áras an Uachtaráin was commenced by the first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde. Each year, thousands of members of the public and representatives of organisations across the country are welcomed to the Áras at a series of Garden Parties. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-community-day-garden-party-25-july-2024

On Saturday, 22th June 2024, the President and Sabina Higgins hosted a Family Day garden party at Áras an Uachtaráin. At the third Garden Party of 2024, President Higgins acknowledged various organisations across different sectors of society all of whom work tirelessly to improve the conditions for families in all their forms.

The President and Sabina Higgins hosted a Garden Party celebrating communities in all their diversities. In his speech the President acknowledged members of communities, community groups and activists who are building inclusive communities across Ireland. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-and-sabina-host-a-garden-party-celebrating-communities-in-all-their-diversities-2024

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina hosted a Bloomsday Garden Party at Áras an Uachtaráin. Bloomsday, 16 June 1904, is the date immortalised in James Joyce’s 1922 novel Ulysses and named after the book’s protagonist Leopold Bloom. Each year, the President and Sabina commence their series of summer Garden Parties with a special event to celebrate the work of James Joyce. The importance of libraries and promoting reading was a key theme of this year’s event, with attendees including, amongst others, library staff from across the country. There was also a South Dublin County Council mobile library in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin as part of the event. The event was MC’d by Seán Rocks and included addresses by President Higgins and historian and trade unionist Dr John Callow, along with a number of musical performances, including Andrew Basquille accompanied by Eugene Murphy, FARÓ, Simon Morgan accompanied by Vincent Lynch, and The Honeydews. https://president.ie/en/d

President Higgins has been chosen by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to be the recipient of the organisation’s Agricola Medal. The medal, which bears the Latin name for farmer, is conferred upon international figures who have undertaken outstanding efforts in advancing the cause of global food security, poverty alleviation and nutrition. President Higgins,the first Irish recipient of the medal, received the award from the Director-General of the FAO, Dr Qu Dongyu at a reception in Áras an Uachtaráin. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-receives-the-united-nations-agricola-medal-from-dr-qu-dongyu-director-general-of-the-fao

President Higgins hosted a reception for the Chief Justice and Presidents of the Supreme Courts at Áras an Uachtaráin to mark 100 years since the enactment of the Courts of Justice Act 1924.

President Higgins hosted a dinner for His Excellency, Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy at Áras an Uachtaráin. The dinner follows the October 2023 meeting between the two Presidents as part of a five-day programme which President Higgins undertook in Rome and the Holy See to coincide with his participation in the 2023 World Food Forum. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-a-dinner-for-h.e-mr-sergio-mattarella-president-of-italy

President Higgins addressed the Annual Dóchas Conference. Dóchas is an Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations Founded from the belief that every human being is fundamentally equal, working to protect and support the most vulnerable in society. This year’s conference titled 'Dóchas at 50: Sustainable Development in a Time of Climate Crisis’, celebrated five decades of collaboration amongst International development and humanitarian organisations in Ireland, and their collective vision for a just, equal and sustainable world. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-addresses-the-dochas-50th-anniversary-conference

President Higgins delivered the inaugural lecture in a new annual series of lectures which will run at the University of Manchester. Titled the John Kennedy Lecture Series, the lectures will run for five years as part of the University’s School of Arts, Languages and Cultures. The title of the inaugural lecture, presented by President Higgins, is ‘Of the consciousness our times need in responding to interacting crises and the role of Universities as spaces of discourse in facilitating it’.